Bank protecting device



' mums c. J. MEUNIER ET AL BANK PROTECTING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 15, 1935 6. J7 MEUNIER H. 50M 50y Feb 18, 1936. c J. MEUNlER L I EJ03154- BANK PROTECTING DEVICE Filed Feb; 15, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb, 18, 1936.

c. J. MEUNIER ET. AL 2,031,543

BANK PROTECTING DEVICE l Filed Feb. 15, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 & T 7 6 C, J." Mam/5R Patented Feb. 18, 1936 STATES BANK PROTECTING DEVICE Christian Joseph Meunier and Harold Bomboy, New Orleans, La.

PATENT OFFIQE Our invention has for an object to protect from robbery banks and other places where money is kept and handled, as for example, the cashiers departments of counting houses, stores, factories, mills, etc.

Further it is an object of our invention to provide a cashiers counter with means to guard the money and valuables thereon against theft by enclosing the moneys and/or valuables so that access thereto may not be had save at the will of someone who is outside the influence of the bandits.

More specifically the present invention provides an improved cashiers counter of the general type disclosed in our application filed September 4, 1934, Serial No. 742,700, the present invention having for its primary object to simplify the construction of the counter referred to in said application and otherwise improve the same.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out-hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, the invention still further resides in the novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described in the following detailed description, then be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of the electric circuit arrangement employed with our present invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the counter in the open position.

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 33 of Figure 2 showing the counter in the closed position.

Figure 4 is a detail vertical section on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a detail view of a modification later referred to.

In the drawings, in which like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all of the figures, i represents the hollow base of the counter which may be provided with a removable inspection bottom 2 and which may be mounted on standards 3 suitably anchored or embedded in the floor of the bank or other institution in which the counter is used.

4 designates the bed of the counter, 5 the back wall, 6 the side walls, 11 the top wall and 8 the front wall above the hood I 4. Below the hood M the front wall is formed by a plate 9 suitably supported on brackets l mounted on the bed 4.

The sides 6 of the counter are provided with arcuate guideways or grooves for the guidetracks |2 on the side plates l3 of the hood I4. The hood I4 is preferably of the double wall construction and is provided with a bottom edge bar' l and a back stop bar Hi.

I! is a money drawer divided into suitable compartments, if desired, and lying on the bed 4 of the counter. The drawer I! has a back wall l8 which, when the drawer is in the outer position, engages the plate 9 as a stop.

Suitable guideways I9 are provided on the bed 4 in which cleats 9:0 on the sides of the drawer ll slide.

A stop 2|! on the bed 4 limits the inward or rearward movement of the drawer ll.

The hood which in its entirety comprises the side plates I3 and the arcuate double wall M, is carried on a shaft 2| mounted in suitable bearings 22 beneath the bed 4 and driven by a motor through the medium of a pinion 3| and gear 29, as will later more fully appear.

Carried on the shaft 2| is a suitable ratchet disk 23 with which a spring pressed magnetpawl 24 engages, the pawl and ratchet holding the shaft 2| as a back check device, a device which enables the shaft 2| to turn in one direction freely and holds it against being turned in the opposite direction until the pawl 24 is released by the magnet 25, as will later more fully appear.

26 is a spring windup drum, to which one end of a cable (flexible steel preferably) is secured, the cable passing over an idler 21 having its other end secured tothe rear wall if! of the drawer ii.

In order to hold the drawer H in its pulled out or forward position we provide the drawer with a suitable latch recess 34 with which a spring pressed latch 32 is adapted to engage when the drawer is in the outermost position. The latch 32 is designed to be released, however, by the action of the magnet when the same is energized.

35 designates a lock-switch for effecting the operating circuit, the lock 35 being rendered operative by means of a key 36 when the same is inserted in the lock. The lock employed is similar to those used on the door handles of automobile doors whereby the handle may be freed from the lock or secured to the lock mechanism accordingly as the key is in place or not. As the lock construction is of a well, known type detailed description thereof is thought to be unnecessary.

The pole changing switch, which is operated through the medium of the lock 35, includes a shaft 31 that carries the pole changers 38, the latter cooperating with the contact groups 3944 and 4|l45. A wire 46 runs from the armature to the left hand contact 44 and the right hand contact 45 of the switch 43, while the other wire 46 from the battery 58 runs to the right hand contact 44 and the left hand contact 45 of the switch 43. One of the wires 4| from the motor 36 is connected to both contacts 40; the other wire 4| from the motor connects to both contacts 39 of the switch 43.

When the key 36 is inserted in the lock 35 the shaft 31 may be turned to reverse the connection of the switch 43 and thereby effect a reversal of the motor 30. Normally when the key 36 is out of the lock 35 the parts are positioned as shown in diagram Figure 1, so that the motor 30 is ready at all times to move the hood l4 to the closed position.

42 designates an alarm signal connected across the motor terminals so as to operate whenever the motor operates and give warning of the fact that the motor is in operation.

Referring now especially to Figure 1, it will be seen that we provide a main relay 59 having a magnet 60, one winding of which is connected in circuit 48 which contains the source of electrical energy (preferably a storage battery) 49 and which contains the circuit closers 41. The circuit closers 41 are distributed at different points in and about the bank or other building which is to be protected in order that they may be operated by any number of persons at different places. The circuit closers 41 may be of any type, some push buttons, some switches, and others may be actuated by sound waves. Thus, it will be seen that when a circuit closer 41 is operated, the magnet of the relay 59 will be energized to draw its armature 6| down into engagement with a fixed contact 65. This permits the latch 62 to be drawn over by the spring 64 to hold the armature 6| down mechanically. A stop 63 limits the upward movement of the armature 6|.

50 is the operating circuit.- This circuit includes the battery 49, a second winding of magnet 60, armature 6|, fixed contact 65, and the magnet 61 of a second relay 66. The circuit 50 is provided with master fuses 52 in a box 5| for opening the circuit in the event of a dangerous over-load on the wires.

The relay 66 is provided for the purpose of closing a power circuit |0|| which contains one or more sirens I2 and gongs 13 which may be located on the outside of the building being protected and/or'at the oflice of the chief of police of the city or the oflice of the captain of the precinct in which the protected building is located. The signals 12-13 are preferably operated from the outside power lines 10 which supply the electricity for lighting and other purposes. So far as described, it will be that when a circuit closer 41 is operated, relay 59 closes and locks,

and at the same time relay 66 becomes energized to close the circuit l0--l| and operate the distant signals.

By reference to Figure 1 it will be noticed that the circuit wires 1| connect respectively to the armature 68 and fixed contact 69 of the relay 66.

53 designates another relay whose magnet 54 is of the double wound type, one winding of which is contained in the circuit 59 while the other winding is contained in the circuit 46 which circuit includes the armature 55 and fixed contact 56.

The drawer releasing magnet 33 is connected across the circuit 46 to be operated every time that circuit is energized while the magnet 25 is connected between the contact 44 and the positive wires of the circuit 46 so as to be operated only when the switch 43 is in the reverse position.

The armature 55 of the relay 53 may be locked down by a pawl 57.

Operation Assume the counter to be in the open position with the hood |4 thrown back. In this position magnets 33 and 25 will be de-energized and the spring-pressed pawls will be projected forwardly. Also assume the drawer H to be pulled out until the pawl 32 enters the notch 34, the parts are now in the normal position. Should a holdup occur or bandits enter the bank one of the circuit closers 41 will be closed, thereby causing current to flow through the circuit 48, which energizes relay magnets 60 and 61. As relay 59 is closed the circuit 56 will also be closed to energize magnet 54 and close circuit 46. Relay 66 closes circuit |6l| and effects the sounding of the distant alarms |2l3. Energization of circuit 50 closes relay 53 and brings circuit 46 into operation thereby energizing the motor 30 and simultaneously the magnet 33 releases the drawer I! which is pulled back to its inner position (see Figure 3) by means of the spring windup drum 26, thereby clearing the front of the bed 4 so that the hood M can come down tight thereon.

Energizing the motor 30 with the circuit in the position shown in Figure 1 causes the hood M to be moved forwardly to the closed position.

Before the counter can be opened it is necessary to insert the key 36 into the lock 35 and reverse the pole changing switch 43. Upon reversing the pole changing switch 43 the motor is again energized to turn in a reverse direction and move the hood |4 inwardly.

In order to stop the operation of the motor when the hood has reached its fully closed position a circuit opening switch '15 is placed in the motor circuit in series with the left hand contact 39 and in order to open the motor circuit when the hood has been moved to the open position a second circuit opening switch 16 is placed in series with the right hand contact 40 as indicated in the diagram, Figure 1. These switches 15 and T6 are normally held closed but when engaged by the hood |4 they open the circuit.

For instance, when the hood is in the closed or locked position it will have engaged the butt-on of the switch 15, pushed it in and opened the circuit at that place, whereas when the door reaches the fully opened position the door will engage the button of the switch 16 and open the circuit at that point.

While we have shown the sides 6 as extending to the extreme front edge of the counter the sides 6 may terminate at the wall 8 if desired and the portion in front of the wall 8 need not be used.

In Figure 6 is shown a modification of the drive between the motor 30a and the shaft 2|a. In this figure 3|a designates a worm and 29a a worm gear. The parts in this figure that are similar to parts in Figure 3 bear the same reference numerals plus the index letter a; so a further detailed description thereof is believed to be unnecessary.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the complete construction, operation and advantages of our invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

What we claim is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a counter having a bed, a chambered body located above the bed, the bed projecting forwardly of the chambered body, a hood rotatably mounted and located over the bed and constructed to be moved into said hollow body or over the projecting portion of the bed correspondingly as the hood is moved in one direction or another,

an electric motor, a shaft on which said hood is mounted for pivotal movement, gearing between said motor and shaft, a back check device including a releasable element for holding said hood against movement in the direction of the chambered body, controlled means to release said check device, and electrical means to operate said motor and said controlled means for the purpose described.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a counter having a bed, a chambered .body located above the bed, the bed projecting forwardly of the chambered body, a hood rotatably mounted and located over the bed and constructed to be moved into said hollow body or over the projecting portion of the bed correspondingly as the hood is movedv in one directin or another, an electric motor, a shaft on which said hood is mounted for pivotal movement, a worm and worm gear connection between said motor and said shaft and electrical means: to operate said motor for the purposes described.v

- 3. In apparatus of the character described, a counter having a closure, means to move said closure to its closed and open positions, a drawer mounted on the counter to slide back and forth into and out of the path in which said closure moves, means normally holding said drawer projected into the path of said closure, means to remove said drawer from the path of said closure, and controlling means operative to eifect the re lease of said drawer and its removal from the path of said closure and to operate the closure to the closed position.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a counter having a closure, means to move said closure to its closed and open positions, a slide mounted on the counter to slide back and forth into and out of the path in which said closure moves, means normally holding said slide projected into the path of said closure, means to remove said slide from the path of said closure, and controlling means operative to effect the release of said slide and its removal from thepath of said closure and to operate the closure to the closed position.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a counter comprising a base having a bed, a chambered body located over the rear portion of the bed, a closure member formed to move in an arcuate path to provide a closure for said counter, a shaft on which said closure member is mounted and by which it is moved from an open to a closed position and vice versa, a motor connected to said shaft, a money drawer slidably mounted on said bed to be projected into the path of said closure, means holding said drawer so projected, means continuously acting to move said drawer back out of the path of said closure when said holding means is released, and means to release said holding means and energize said motor to efiect a closure of the counter.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a counter comprising a base having a bed, a chambered body located over the rear portion of the bed, a closure member formed to move in an arcuate path to provide a closure for said counter, a shaft on which said closure member is mounted and by which it is moved from an open to a closed position and vice versa, a motor connected to said shaft, a money drawer slidably mounted on said bed to be projected into the path of said closure, means holding said drawer so projected, means continuously acting to move said drawer back out of the path of said closure when said holding means is released, means to release said holding means and energize said motor to effect a closure of the counter, said holding means comprising a releasable pawl engaging said drawer and a releasing magnet for said pawl and said releasing means comprising an electric circuit including said magnet and said motor and circuit controlling means.

7. In apparatus of the class described, a counter comprising a base having a bed, a chambered body located over the rear portion of the bed, a closure member formed to move in an arcuate path to provide a closure for said counter, a shaft on which said closure member is mounted and by which it is moved from an open to a closed position and vice versa, a motor connected to said shaft, a money drawer slidably mounted on said bed to be projected into the path of said closure, means holding said drawer so projected, means continuously acting to move said drawer back out of the path of said closure when said holding means is released, means to release: said holding means and energize said motor to efiect a closure of the counter, said holding means comprising a releasable pawl engaging said drawer, and a releasing magnet for said pawl, said releasing means comprising an electric circuit including said magnet and said motor and circuit controlling means, and means to de-energize said circuit when the closure shall have reached its completely closed position.

8. In apparatus of the class described, a counter comprising a base having a bed, a chambered body located over the rear portion of the bed, a closure member formed to move in an arcuate path to provide a closure for said counter, a shaft on which said closure member is mounted and by which it is moved from an open to a closed position and vice versa, a motor connected to said shaft, a money drawer slidably mounted on said bed to be projected into the path of said closure, means holding said drawer so projected, means continuously acting to move said drawer back out of the path of said closure when said holding means is released, means to release said holding means and energize said motor to effect a closure of the counter, said holding means cornprising a releasable pawl engaging said drawer and a releasing magnet for said pawl, said releasing means comprising an electric circuit including said magnet and said motor and circuit controlling means, a motor-reversing locked switch in said circuit, a key to unlock said switch, and means to de-energize said circuit when the closure shall have reached its completely closed and its completely opened positions.

9. "In apparatus of the class described,' a counter comprising a base having a bed, a chambered body located over the rear portion of the bed, a closure member formed to move in an arcuate path to provide a. closure for said counter, a shaft on which said closure member is mounted and by which it is moved from an open to a closed position and vice versa, a motor connected to said shaft, a money drawer slidably mounted on said bed to be projected into the path of said closure, means holding said drawer so projected, means continuously acting to move said drawer back out of the path of said closure when said holding means is released, means to release said holding mean and energize said motor to efiect a closure of the counter, means to hold said closure against movement toward the open position after it has started to close and means to release said closure holding means when the motor circuit shall have been reversed to open the counter.

10. In apparatus of the class described, a counter comprising a base having a bed, a chambered body located over the rear portion of the bed, a closure member formed to move in an arcuate path to provide a closure for said counter, a shaft on which said closure member is mounted and by which it is moved from an open to a closed position and vice versa, a motor connected to said shaft, a money drawer slidably mounted on said bed to be projected into the path of said closure, means holding said drawer so projected, means continuously acting to move said drawer back out of the path of said closure when said holding means is released, means to release said holding means and energize said motor to effect a closure of the counter, said holding means comprising a releasable pawl engaging said drawer and a releasing magnet for said pawl, said releasing means comprising an electric circuit including said magnet and said motor and circuit controlling means, means to hold said closure against movement toward the open position after it has started to close, and means to release said closure holding means when the motor circuit shall have been reversed to open the counter.

11. In apparatus of the class described, a counter comprising a base having a bed, a chambered body located over the rear portion of the bed, a closure member formed to move in an arcuate path to provide a closure for said counter, a shaft on which said closure member is mounted and by which it is moved from an open to a closed position and vice versa, a motor connected to said shaft, a money drawer slidably mounted on said bed to be projected into the path of said closure, means holding said drawer so projected, means continuously acting to move said drawer back out of the path of said closure when said holding means is released, means to release said holding means and energize said motor to efi'ect a closure of the counter, said holding means comprising a releasable pawl engaging said drawer, a releasing magnet for said pawl, said releasing means comprising an electric circuit including said magnet and said motor and circuit controlling means, means to ole-energize said circuit when the closure shall have reached its completely closed position, means to hold said closure against movement toward the open position after it has started to close and means to release said closure holding means when the motor circuit shall have been reversed to open the counter.

12. In apparatus of the class described, a counter comprising a base having a bed, a chambered body located over the rear portion of the bed, a closure member formed to move in an arcuate path to provide a closure for said counter, a shaft on which said closure member is mounted and by which it is moved from an open to a closed position and vice versa, a motor connected to said shaft, a money drawer slidably mounted on said bed to be projected into the path of said closure, means holding said drawer so projected, means continuously acting to move said drawer back out of the path of said closure when said holding means is released, means to release said holding means and energize said motor to efiect a closure of the counter, said holding means comprising a releasable pawl engaging said drawer, a releasing magnet for said pawl, said releasing means comprising an electric circuit including said magnet and said motor and circuit controlling means, a motor-reversing locked switch in said circuit, a key to unlock said switch, means to de-energize said circuit when the closure shall have reached its completely closed and its completely opened positions, means to hold said closure against movement toward the open position after it has started to close, and means to release said closure holding means when the motor circuit shall have been reversed to open the counter.

CHRISTIAN JOSEPH MEUNIER. HAROLD BONEBOY. 

